This artist’s rendering depicts a new $3 million shelter Critter Adoption and Rescue Effort Inc. hopes to build with the help of the community. A kick-off event for its capital campaign will take place at 11:30 a.m. May 31 at the Sun City Center Area Chamber of Commerce, 1651 Sun City Center Plaza. Light hors d’oeuvres will be served. RSVPs are required. Call 813-634-5111.
Critter Adoption and Rescue Effort Inc. to kick off capital campaign for new no-kill shelter
By LOIS KINDLE
The Critter Adoption and Rescue Effort no-kill animal shelter in Ruskin is a point of pride for the South Shore community.
It was founded in 2000 by veterinarian Hal Ott and a group of concerned citizens, and until recent years, it was the only place in Hillsborough County that took in stray and abandoned dogs and cats without ultimately putting them on a kill list.
C.A.R.E. is a 501(C) 3 nonprofit organization, which has always relied on the generosity of others to support its mission of reducing the number of homeless and abandoned animals through adoption, sterilization and education. Aside from a full-time animal care manager, part-time facilities manager and full-time office administrator, the shelter is operated completely with volunteers.
Animal care and facility costs run at least $145,000 annually. Having outgrown its aging facility, C.A.R.E. is kicking off a capital campaign to build a new shelter on its 3-acre property. The goal is to improve operational efficiencies and increase the number of animals it rescues and places in permanent homes. It currently provides housing for up to 17 dogs and puppies, depending on their sizes, and 30 to 40 cats and kittens.
The kick-off event will take place at 11:30 a.m. May 31 at the Sun City Center Area Chamber of Commerce. Light hors d’oeuvres will be served. RSVPs, which are required, can be made by calling 813-634-5111.
“We do a phenomenal job with very limited resources, but we’re at the point where we need financial assistance to expand,” said Penny Smith, C.A.R.E. board president. “Donations of any amount certainly help, but we especially need benefactors who are willing to leave funding to us through their wills. “You have no idea what a huge impact you can have through a bequest and how it can improve the lives of the animals we care for.”
C.A.R.E. receives no government funding, whatsoever. It does receive occasional grants from large nonprofit organizations, like the Interfaith Council of Sun City Center and the Community Foundation of Tampa Bay. But its mission is supported primarily by area residents and businesses through direct or in-kind donations and occasional fundraisers.
“The South Shore community has always supported our efforts, and we need its help more than ever,” Smith said. “Join us at the upcoming “Build It” event to see plans for the new facility, witness some of our success stories and learn how you can be part of this exciting project.”
C.A.R.E. is open to the public Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; folks can visit and meet its adoptable dogs and cats. To learn more about the shelter or its mission, call 813-645-2273 or visit www.careshelter.org. Donations can be sent to 1528 27th St. SE, Ruskin, FL 33570.